New Report on Immigration and National Security

A new report released by the United States Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center evaluates the national security implications of the immigration system. This two-year project included extensive research and interviews with top experts and officials in both the immigration and national security fields. It offers policy recommendations and establishes a method for gauging the impact of immigration policies on national security. “National Security and Immigration Policy: Reclaiming Terms, Measuring Success, and Setting Priorities” resulted from a partnership between leading specialists on immigration and national security issues. Donald Kerwin, Executive Director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., coauthored the report with Margaret Stock, a U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel and Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point. Most importantly, the report offers five policy recommendations. The report recommends:

• “the United States adopt an expansive view of national security—that encompasses economic security and respect for core civic values—in crafting immigration policy.”

• “immigration measures be rigorously evaluated to determine if they further legitimate security goals, will be likely to accomplish their purposes, and are worth the cost in resources expended and opportunities foregone.”

• “the United States… develop a comprehensive and coordinated national security plan that incorporates military action, diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, homeland security, and immigration policy.”

• “the U.S. immigration system should be able to conduct identity and security checks on those seeking to enter and to secure legal status.”

• “Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform as a way to enhance U.S. security.” This two-year project included collaboration with pro bono counsel from the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Staff from the Migration Policy Institute, Unites Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National Immigration Forum served as advisors during the research and writing stages. Click here for the report Download National_Security_and_Immigration_Policy.pdf 

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